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File 2182/1913 Pt 11 'Arabia: relations with BIN SAUD Hedjaz-Nejd Dispute' [‎485r] (527/678)

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The record is made up of 1 item (336 folios). It was created in 16 Oct 1919-28 May 1920. It was written in English and Arabic. The original is part of the British Library: India Office The department of the British Government to which the Government of India reported between 1858 and 1947. The successor to the Court of Directors. Records and Private Papers Documents collected in a private capacity. .

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4
f
[1*3565'
From Political, Baghdad, 8th August 1918.
(Addressed Foreign, repeated Secretary of State and Higl
Comm iss loner, Ca iro .)
(Received 10th, 12.30 p.m.)
(4-
0491. My immediately preceding telegram and Secretary of State’s
telegram dated 2nd August. In view of presence of Sir P. Cox in Cairo,
.London and Simla, 1 have hitherto felt it unnecessary for me to submit views
on current questions regarding Central Arabia. Sir P. Cox is, however,
now on high seas and has other pre-occupations. I therefore submit with
much deference recommendations on Bin Sand demands and Philby’s action
thereon.
(1) Bin Saud to be informed in writing that Article 2 of Treaty o
26th December 1915 applies equally to aggression by King Hussein, and
that a special commission will be sent by His Majesty’s Government as soon
as conditions admit, to determine boundaries of territorial arrangement
referred to in Article 1 of Treaty, and to conclude further agreement
referred to in Article 7. Meanwhile, he must abstain from pressing his
claims at Khorma, and should do his best to check the anarchic activities
of Akhwan agents.
(2) and (3). Philb}'' undertakings may be confirmed.
Operations against I bn Rashid appears to be only channel into which
Bin Sand’s interests and aspirations can now be diverted, which will not
bring him into conflict with King Hussein.
I anticipate little result from these operations, the successful outcome
of which would probably prove embarrassing to King Hussein, but for
reasons given above I recommend that I be authorised to place liberal funds
at Philby’s disposal for prosecution of campaign against Ibn Rashid, together
with a further supply of 1,000 rifles and 150,000 rounds of ammunition.
[P 3565]
From Secretary of State to Viceroy, Foreign Department,
loth August 1918.
(Repeated to Civil Commissioner, Baghdad.)
Foreign Secret. Baghdad telegrams 64.89, 6490, 6491, 6492, dated 7th
and 8th August Bin Saud. His Majesty’s Government agree with Civil
Commissioner that Philby’s undertaking No. (1) to B in Saud as transmitted
in Baohdad telegram No. 6490 requires modification. But alternative
suo-o-ested in Baghdad telegram No. 6491 appears to them open to objection
that it places doubtful interpretation on Article 2 of Ireaty witn Bin baud.
In all circumstances His Majesty’s Government prefer formula ^proposed m
Cairo telegram No. 120.9, 12th August, subject to following modifications
(D For first paragraph down to words “ at present be known substi
tute following—(R.) “ We recognise our obligations to use every
influence in our power to prevent encroachments on Bin Sand’s
territories, but feel that it is impossible to decide upon merits of
individual cases until precise limits of his territories have been
discussed and laid down as provided for in the Treaty.”
(2) At end of third paragraph after words Arabs in general add
words “ King Husain has offered to visit Bm baud himself with
a view to discussing such reconciliation.’’ [End of (R.)]
With regard to provision of sinews of war to Bin Saud His Majesty s
Government agree with Wingate that supply of funds should be liberal but
that arms and ammunition should only be furnished m minimum quantities
requisite to retain his personal goodwill and authonty. I lease imtiuct
Philby accordingly.

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Part 11 concerns British policy regarding the dispute between Bin Saud [‘Abd al-‘Azīz bin ‘Abd al-Raḥmān bin Fayṣal Āl Sa‘ūd, also referred to in the correspondence as Ibn Saud] and King Hussein of Hejaz [Ḥusayn bin ‘Alī al-Hāshimī, King of Hejaz] over Khurma and Tarabah [Turabah]. Much of the correspondence documents the efforts of the British to persuade the two leaders to agree to meet. It is initially proposed that the two should meet at Jeddah; however, it is reported by the Civil Commissioner, Baghdad, that Bin Saud refuses to meet King Hussein at Jeddah, Aden, or Cairo, and suggests a meeting at Baghdad instead. A number of other possibilities are discussed, including the following: the Secretary of State for India's proposal of a meeting of plenipotentiaries, either at Khurma or Tarabah, as an alternative to a meeting between the two leaders themselves; a suggestion by the High Commissioner, Egypt, that the two leaders meet in London; a proposal from Lord Curzon [George Nathaniel Curzon], Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, that Bin Saud should be induced to meet King Hussein on board a British ship at Jeddah, or, as is later suggested, at Aden.

Also included are the following:

  • an account from Captain Norman Napier Evelyn Bray, political officer in charge of the Nejd Mission, which recounts the last days of the mission's stay in Paris, in late December 1919;
  • a report from the High Commissioner, Egypt, on his recent meeting with King Hussein, which relays the latter's views on the allocation of control of Syria to France;
  • discussion regarding the growing power and influence of Bin Saud's Akhwan [Ikhwan] forces;
  • a note on the dispute by Harry St John Bridger, in which he volunteers to induce Bin Saud to agree to a meeting at any place (outside of Hejaz) suggested by His Majesty's Government;
  • memoranda and diary entries written by the Political Agent A mid-ranking political representative (equivalent to a Consul) from the diplomatic corps of the Government of India or one of its subordinate provincial governments, in charge of a Political Agency. at Bahrain, Major Harold Richard Patrick Dickson, all of which discuss at length Dickson's interviews with Bin Saud at Hasa [Al Hasa] in January and February 1920;
  • extracts from a report by the British Agent, Jeddah, Lieutenant-Colonel Charles Edwin Vickery, which recounts his recent interviews with King Hussein and the King's son, Emir Abdullah [ʿAbdullāh bin Ḥusayn al-Hāshimī].

The item features the following principal correspondents:

Extent and format
1 item (336 folios)
Written in
English and Arabic in Latin and Arabic script
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File 2182/1913 Pt 11 'Arabia: relations with BIN SAUD Hedjaz-Nejd Dispute' [‎485r] (527/678), British Library: India Office Records and Private Papers, IOR/L/PS/10/391/1, in Qatar Digital Library <https://www.qdl.qa/archive/81055/vdc_100032475966.0x0000b9> [accessed 29 March 2024]

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